Cayman investment in UK doubles to £99bn as Parliament backs sovereign fund

Foreign direct investment from the Cayman Islands into the UK rose 142% year-on-year, from £41.0bn to £99.3bn, according to recently released ONS figures reported by the Caymanian Times. The Cayman Independent notes the islands have become the UK's seventh largest source of FDI.

In Parliament, a proposal for a Cayman sovereign wealth fund received unanimous backing, the Caymanian Times reports. Premier André Ebanks told the House that Cayman is now officially in the assessment phase of its Fifth Round Mutual Evaluation by the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force, with success dependent on law enforcement performance, according to Cayman News Service. Ebanks also said stronger whistleblower rights should be added to existing legislation, the Cayman Compass reports. MPs passed bills on tobacco and nicotine access and on health practice regulation, per the Caymanian Times, and clashed over age limits and nationality restrictions for non-lawyer notaries public, the Compass reports.

In banking, Clarien Bank Limited announced the acquisition of NCB (Cayman) Limited as part of a regional wealth management and private banking expansion, according to the Caymanian Times. CIMA has warned that "vishing" scammers are impersonating the regulator via Google Meet and WhatsApp calls, the Compass reports. Walkers led a Cayman counsel team on an Appleby deal spanning five jurisdictions, per the Cayman Independent.

Planning authorities approved a $30 million West Bay development of 76 apartments and a commercial building, the Compass reports. East End resorts are calling for government help with sargassum. MP Bryan challenged Minister Myles over work permit refusal claims, citing an 87.7% approval rate, per the Cayman Independent. The National Trust has opposed the National Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2026. Customs and Border Control has resumed insurance checks for vehicles collected at the port.